Liz....one more thought....I believe that you meditate...yes?
This could be valuable for your brain, while studying....the less stressed, the more the brain can retain....
Also, I discovered in my studying for national boards (every 6yrs,) that it is possible to study too hard! In the sense of "cramming". I learned this by my own experience.
The brain has to convert the short term memory (of what you just studied) into the long term memory of the brain. After about 2hours, this ability is decreased.
Best to study no more than 2 hours...then give the brain a break. do something else...a short nap or meditate...then do a review of what you just studied...that increases the long term memory of the material. It really works.
Another thing...save your more difficult material for the early morning hours. A fresh brain is the best tool you can have.....
***Like puzzled Heart, I found that taking the practice tests ad nauseam was a big help, also....